Indigenous Practice Approaches to Women, Violence, and Healing Using Community Development: A Partnership between Indigenous and non Indigenous Workers

Abstract

This article describes a successful partnership between Indigenous and non Indigenous workers in relation to women, violence, and healing. The focus was on identifying and using Indigenous practice approaches, taking a community development approach and a project that produced culturally-relevant Strengths Cards (“Yarnabout Cards”), which provided benefits for all partners. The processes used are documented. The project involved a work-based social work student placement, the benefits of which are also discussed. It is hoped this may serve as an example or guide for others interested in collaborative learning and working with Indigenous communities and work-based social work student field placements that can provide positive learning experiences.

Abstract

Keywords:

• Community Development
• Indigenous Social Work
• Field Education Placements
• Strengths-based Approaches
• Strength Cards

Notes

¹The authors representing the key agencies involved in the partnership were: Stacie Barker, an Aboriginal Australian, the Coordinator of Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation for Women's Business, Sunshine Coast; Joanne Dunstan, the Field Educator and former Coordinator of Suncoast Cooloola Outreach Prevention Education (SCOPE), the Regional Domestic Violence Service, managed by Centacare Sunshine Coast; Dana Esperanza, the former James Cook University social work student employed by SCOPE; and Amanda Nickson, the Field Education Coordinator and liaison person for the placement from James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland.